I began blogging six years ago in an entirely different world. I was new to being a stay at home mom and new to homeschooling my children. I wanted to continue the interaction with other adults I had always had in the past. As my situation changed over the years my blog adapted and changed too. In late April of 2010 I started this site without a clue to what I wanted to do. I had a vague idea of writing a few product reviews and talking about coupons. It took me a long time to create a vision of what I wanted for my site. When I did, I started to read articles to help me on my path. I read things like “Ten Dumb Mistakes that are holding you back as a blogger” and “Social Media Savvy: What you need to know or be considered a loser.” They didn’t help at all because they were all contradicted each other. The articles were overwhelming , confusing and filled with time consuming strategies. Plus, they didn’t seem to work for me. I was stressed, tired and burnt out.
One day as I sat staring at my computer screen, I had an epiphany. Why was I trying to follow the rules? Who made these rules anyway? To survive and thrive in the business of blogging, I had to learn my own “secrets.”
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- Write about what you enjoy. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? By talking about topics I enjoy and activities I like, I was able to inject enthusiasm that had been missing from my posts. Sometimes I still sit staring at the computer screen wondering what to write, but those times are much less frequent now.
- Take time to connect with others. One of my favorite things about blogging is the connections I have made with other bloggers. These poor women hear about everything from family health problems to which child made an A on an important project.
- Don’t be afraid to say “No.” Sometimes I have to remind myself I can’t do it all. I need time to focus on the projects I have on hand. Saying No is rather freeing. It keeps me from overloading myself. My family appreciates it when I do not take my stress out on them!
- Keep trying. Sometimes when I see other bloggers doing projects I think would have been a perfect fit for me, I tell myself, “Maybe you will get this next time.” Or “Maybe you didn’t have what they were looking for at this time, but keep trying.”
- There is no secret formula for blogging success. What works for some people will not work for others. Ultimately, you have to decide what is best for you and your blog.
thanks for this.i needed that:-)
When I read your first paragraph I had to laugh/sigh/semi-cry – I’m sure you’re familiar with that crazy half sad – half glad feeling of perplexion!
As my doctor and other professionals and friends sometimes say: “When you want good information – the last place you should look is the internet! That said – there is wisdom to be found too – especially if you bring to your search a bit of a sense of humor, a lot of common sense and above all – a solid sense of yourself: who you are and what you want to do. With THOSE assets more or less in place – you can embark on your journey which will still be an adventure (if you let it!) and an ongoing series of “teachable moment.”
I’m been a fan and a follower of your blog since long before the name adjustment – and not only do I think you’ve written the most thoughtful and right-on (write-on!) post about the best and maybe only way to survive and moreover THRIVE in the crowded universe of blogging.
I also continue to follow and enjoy your blog – probably because – you are what you blog!
Thanks and keep on keeping on!
Great tips and I agree what works for some does not work for all. I also agree that you have to love what you are writing about to enjoy it.
Saying no is definitely a big one. Especially with all the requests to slave away for free.
I’ve tried all that and continue to fail at blogging. Now I just got with it and do what I want. Which is why no one reads my blog unless I force them to T^T
I love your positive attitude about everything. You totally deserve every bit of the success that has come your way. I am absolutely thrilled to have watched you grow. 🙂
I agree with everything you said. Great post.
This one is really important. “Don’t be afraid to say “No.” ” I am just learning now how important that is to survive. You can not say yes to every request.
Great Post! As a blogger starting out this is some great advice to read.
These points are so true! I have found it really helpful to say no. It was hard at first but not so much now.
Writing about what you enjoy is a great way to blog. I swear when I am writing about things that matter to me, I could write a novel. If I hate it then it’s hard to write two paragraphs. Lol
This is a great post. There are so many facets to blogging and I think many people are unaware of how much work it takes on a daily basis to run a successful blog.
Great list. We do have to say no sometimes!
There are so many posts and so much advice about blogging out there. I agree with you, do what makes you happy and it will all fall in place. Great post
Saying NO is amazing. It’s a HARD decision though but I have NEVER regretting the times I had to say “oh I’m so sorry but I can’t” – VERY freeing you are true!
Love your list, I keep telling myself to say no, but it’s so hard!
I love what blogging has offered me but I had to eventually find my own voice too. I think once people figure that out, things go a lot smoother
Great tips. I esp like the first one about when you decided to write about what was important to you. I’ve just hit one year with blogging and hope I’m still doing it at 6 years!
Love this post . Loved to hear about your experience.
I juggle between a full time Social Media job and my blog. It’s not easy, but totally worth it! You have some great tips here! Especially about writing what you love. 🙂
I love this post! I love that you found YOUR way, and what makes it all work for YOU and YOUR family! I sit and wonder sometimes how some bloggers have so much time to handle so many things, because I know I can’t, and I am older, I work from home, and don’t have little ones here after my in home childcare hours are over. But they have found their way, and make it work for them. Noone can tell someone else what is right for them or their family.
Very helpful tips! More power to your blog!
Great tips! I agree, write what you know and enjoy!
There really is no
Formula. And you have to be willing to accept that and adapt frequently.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your post, every new blogger or someone thinking about writing a new blog should check this post out. So many people don’t realize how much work goes into a blog, it’s NOT just a BLOG… LOVE it.. thanks for sharing
Great tips Pam and so true! I, too love “There is no secret formula for blogging success.” Every one of us have a path that we can follow. There are certainly lots of tips and tricks to be learned along the way but I love that our blogging paths are richly filled with personal experience and many surprises!
Thank you for these wonderful tips! Blogging takes a lot of time, but it’s worth it! Definitely okay to say “no” sometimes!
Early on I also had trouble saying no, and was spending way too much of my time just trying to be polite to everyone.
What great tips!! I know you bloggers go through a lot, but I didn’t realize how much
These are great tips. I don’t feel bad saying no to sponsors or people I don’t know, but if it’s a sponsor or blogger I have a relationship with, I will say no if I have to, but I do feel bad.
I completely agree. Blogging has changed so much since I started five years ago.
What an AWESOME post to share… I absolutely love your tips and they are so true for me too, this is a great reminder to help me keep on track going forward. 😉
Fantastic tips – I don’t know what I would do without blogging it has brought so much to my life. x
I totally agree! just because something looks like it’s working for others doesn’t mean it will work for you, or rather, it being what you want to do. I am new to this so I am slowly learning as I go…
I never really thought I would stay blogging. I started because I was entering giveaways and an additional entry was to blog the giveaway. I’ve changed tons in the 4 years I’ve been blogging and again ready for a change. But you are right. Blog about what you care about! I also learned through the years to stop saying yes for everything. I got so overwhelmed as I was overdoing it and over scheduling. I’m so much happier now that I’ve learned to say No!
OMG this is so true. There is no tried and true formula for success and it does take a lot of commitment. I do it because I love it but sometimes I need to take a time out or if I don’t I’ll be totally burned out and my family do come first.
You are so right there is no secret formula to blogging. I have too been evolving along with my blog. I like all your tips they should help any blogger on their way. I need to practice the Don’t be afraid to say, “No.” tip. I have a problem saying no.
Well said! I started blogging in that same world you did and things sure have changed. I think your suggestions are spot on!
These are wonderful tips! 🙂
there’s definitely a balance to early blogging. But once you start doing it for business you have to be consistent.
Thank you and I so agree! There is not perfect recipe for blogging. What works for you will not work for someone else and what works for me doesn’t work for others. Enjoy it, I do. I Love it. It is a full time job but a labor of love. I keep changing things around, growing,evolving and learning.
I can’t believe that it has been 6 years! That is a long time. I love working on my site, although sometimes I have to go back and realize the advice that you posted above. I need to write about things that I enjoy! Sometimes I say “Yes” to things that I shouldn’t agree to and then I don’t enjoy it. I’m getting better about this and enjoying it more.
Its amazing how quickly a blog can turn into a full time commitment but it can be so worth it. These are simple rules that make it easy to follow and if you are enjoying it then its all worth it
Yep, we all want that secret formula! Did you know that over 95% of blogs that are started are abandoned?
Very interesting reading.
I have no secrets anywhere .
Ssecret formula? Ha ha got that right? I never imagine my blogging career would be how it turned out! Great tips!
I definitely haven’t been taking enough time to really connect with others. I just had an experience that made me realize this, and I wish I could go back and change that. I’ll just have to work on improving that in the future!
The one that I struggle with is, “Don’t be afraid to say No”. It’s really important because there is only so much time in a day and you have to do things that you enjoy. I’m still not the best at this one, but I’m getting better.
Excellent tips Pam and I especially like the last one, “There is no secret formula for blogging success. What works for some people will not work for others. Ultimately, you have to decide what is best for you and your blog.” It is so true and you do have to find your own niche.
Blogging is a full time job, thats for sure. So many of the bloggers I started with have gone by the wayside… they just couldn’t cut it. Maybe they should have read your tips.